Karna
Pretending to be a brahmin Karna commenced taking instructions in archery from Parasurama.
When his education was complete Parasurama taught him Brahmastra.
One day tired after a long walk in the forests Parasurama took rest placing his head on the lap of Karna and soon fell asleep. At that time a beetle came and started sucking blood from the thigh of Karna. Karna remained still, bearing the pain, lest any movement of his body should disturb the sleep of his Guru. Blood was oozing from his thighs and it slowly made the body of the Guru also wet. Parasurama woke up and the sight of the bleeding thigh and the calm demeanour of Karna raised doubts in him. He questioned Karna saying that no brahmin could ever bear such a pain with such calmness and Karna had to tell the truth.
Then Parasurama cursed him for deceit against his Guru saying that he would never be able to remember the Brahmastra when the time to use it came.
Alarka
There is a story behind Alarka, the beetle that bit Karna.
This beetle was in his previous birth a demon named Darhsa. Darhsa once tried to molest the wife of the sage Bhrgu. The Maharsi cursed him and made him into a beetle. On his request for mercy he said he would get release from the curse by Parasurama. So the beetle became the Raksasa again and left the place. Karna took leave of Parasurama and went to Hastinapura.
Santi Parva, Chapter 3
Drona
Another famous disciple of Parasurama was Drona. There is a story behind Drona getting Dhanurveda from Parasurama.
After travelling throughout the world exterminating the Ksatriya race, Parasurama gave all his wealth to Kasyapa. On hearing that Parasurama was giving away all his riches as gifts to brahmins Drona rushed to Mahendraparvata to see Parasurama. By then Parasurama had distributed all his wealth excepting Dhanurveda. Parasurama called Drona to his side and said that only two things remained with him, his body and Dhanurveda. Drona, he added, could take anyone of the two and then Drona took Dhanurveda from him. After that Parasurama went to Maharanya for the sake of penance.
Adi Parva, Chapter 130
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